18.

Eighteen years ago today I met one of my two favorite people on the planet.

G, 1 week

He used to stare at me like that, like he was puzzled by my very existence and if he looked deep enough, long enough, he might just figure this strange world out. 

I was content to just stare back.

When he was a baby, he never cried. He was mostly content to watch me watching him, and listen to my voice. I used to sing 'A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes' as I rocked him to sleep.

As a toddler, his favorite book was Green Eggs and Ham.

When he went to school, he always looked after the smallest kid on the playground, took care that no one was left out.

He's funny.  We spend a lot of time laughing around here, much of it inappropriate. 

He loves Tom Hanks.

His favorite movie is Black Hawk Down.

He would probably actually go to prom if Hayley Williams from Paramore would consent to be his date. 

My boy wants to be a soldier.  A friend of mine asked this weekend when it was he started talking about this (the military), and I said, truthfully, "When he was four."

Wherever life leads him, I have faith he's smart enough and strong enough to make a difference and find success.  I might have slightly different goals for he and Lu than most parents; I want them to be happy, and I want them to go out in the world and see what's waiting just around the corner, to not let fear hold them back.  After that, it's cake. 

We've come a long way, G and I and Lu.  I wouldn't trade a single second of it. 

Love you, baby. Happy birthday.